Editors note.....I had to repost to dismiss some of the comments.....I won't allow personal attacks, or ya-yaing between sides. You are welcome to attack me, I can take it. But if you disagree with any official, you can say that, but I can't go along with personal attacks against Mr. Hood or Mr. Kuykendall. And please refer to any school official with a proper title. If I disagree with a person and show disrespect to that person, I have already lost the argument. All posts will be approved henceforth before they are posted with no censure except for what I just stated.
"Ms. Johnson, this is Mr. Wilson at the school and I'm afraid I have some disturbing news. Your son has been in an incident at school today and has been arrested. .........
Well, he got into a fight. ........
No Ma'am, this was his first fight that I am aware of. ......
As of a recent change, we have a Zero Tolerance policy toward violence and any one committing any act of violence will be arrested. ....
Well, Ma'am, as I understand it, he will have to remain in custody for the entire night and can be released tomorrow after he appears before the youth court judge. .......
Ms. Johnson, I understand that your son is not a criminal, and he may have just been acting in self-defense, but nonetheless, he must remain in the courts hands and there is no exception."
This is an example of "Zero Tolerance" in schools. EDITOR'S CLARIFICATION:(I borrowed this from a news story in Chicago on "Zero Tolerance". It was similar to the Belmont story, but is not meant to imply that the exact same conversation took place.)A similar situation occurred in the Belmont School last week, resulting in the arrest of two Belmont teenagers. You can consider this an editorial regarding this story as I have strong feelings about this policy and I have strong respect for individuals on both sides of this issue.
I have had numerous conversations with the parent and other relatives of the two boys, numerous conversations with Mr. Kuykendall, Mr. Puckett,(head of the school board), Sheriff Whitlock, and brief conversations with Mr. Hood, Mr. Jeff Sparks,(School Resource Officer), and one conversation with the clerk of the Youth Court Judge, Joey Cobb.
As I understand it, these two youths engaged in a fight at the Belmont School. From varying accounts, it was not a particularly violent fight, meaning no weapons, guns, knives, sticks, or any other extraordinary circumstance. But it was none-the-less an act of violence. Both boys were and are close friends I was told. As I understand it, no supervising authority witnessed the fight, but it was captured on video by another student's cell phone, who then showed it to someone in charge. Both boys were questioned and both admitted to the fight. It is at this point that differing opinions exist to what actually occurred, but the end result was that a call was placed to the Youth Court Representative and the School Resource Officer placed both boys in custody. They were then transported to Corinth to the Youth Holding facility.
One of the mothers told me that Mr. Hood then called her to let her know that her son had been arrested. He could not provide her with a phone number or an address of this facility, as this was the first experience with this policy for Belmont. After about two hours, the mother talked to a youth court Representative. She was then informed that she could not see her child, that the child would have to stay in custody through the night and face the youth court judge the next morning on charges of disorderly conduct. The mother and several relatives tried calling several officials to see if anything could be done, but everyone they contacted was unfamiliar with the policy, and who you are supposed to contact in this situation.
At the court hearing, the family was further agitated when they were informed by the Court that any discussion of what transpired in this room would result in a $5000 fine and possible jail time. (It has been explained to me that this is to protect the privacy of youths, and is not to prevent discussion of issues. As both boys in this story are teenagers, their names, or names of their family, will not be used).
Both boys were returned to school the following day after the court hearing and at first were given unexcused absences for the time they missed, but after discussions with Mr. Kuykendall, were excused for their absence.
I was first informed of this (the entire episode) on Thursday morning, the day after the fight. I spent most of Thursday morning on the telephone talking to different people, including Sheriff Whitlock, Micheal Puckett, and an assistant to Mr. Kuykendall. This was a policy that I had never heard of and it amazed me that a "Zero Tolerance" policy existed. I didn't understand it and didn't understand the need for it. I was told of a particularly violent fight over at Tishomingo County High School that resulted in severe injuries to a student. This led to an understanding by the youth court that there would be "Zero Tolerance" toward this type of activity, which transferred to the incident in Belmont.
About lunchtime Thursday, Mr. Kuykendall called me and expressed his dismay that this had happened. He did not feel that a fight of ordinary circumstance should result in the arrest of students. He was not informed of this decision to take the students into custody until after the boys were already in custody and then the matter was out of his hand. Mr. Kuykendall then immediately conveyed a directive to his Principals that explained how that they were to handle a situation and when matters should be referred and scheduled a meeting on the following Monday to clarify the policy.
About a hour later, Mr. Kuykedall called me back to relay another incident, minor in nature, had occurred in the lunch room at Belmont and that once again, two students at Belmont were to be transported to Corinth. Mr. Kuykendall intervened and implemented the clarified policy immediately. He expressed his fear that the parents of the first two boys would feel that the latter incident was showed favouritism, and that was not his intent. He could not undo the first incident, but did not want to repeat what had occurred the day before. Since that time, Mr. Kuykendall has had conversations with Mr. Cobb, the youth court Judge, and has reached an understanding of how this policy should be interpreted. While neither entity has control or authority over the over, they must co-exist and work together to provide a safe environment for the students.
My take on this....... Kids will be kids. I wish I could count the times my little girl came home feeling bad because someone said something cruel to her, or hit her, or did something mean to her. Kids do these kind of things, and they do them every day. But my little girl, like every other kid at the school, has to learn to deal with life and other students.
They all have ups and downs and this world is not perfect. No one knows the troubles and trials that go on in some kids lives, and we have no perfect answer on how to deal with some of these problems. On one hand, we can be all touchy feely and be sensitive to every whim and feeling of our children. On the other hand, we can be a prison, dishing out severe punishment for every offense. The answer lies somewhere in the middle, and while you want an uniform policy, each case will have to be judged on it's own merits.
That said, what happened at the School last week was very disturbing to me. If my child was arrested for such an incident, and place where I could not see them, stripsearched, and only allowed a two minute phone call, I really don't know what I would have done. I do know a lot of people would have missed a lot of sleep that night, because I would have been looking for answers. Every parent that has a child deserves answers to their questions and no one can tell a parent that they don't have the right to question policy. I do not question the integrity of anyone involved, and I applaud Mr. Kuykendall and Mr. Puckett for their courage and openness to me on this issue. Also, I thank Sheriff Whitlock for the amount of time he spent discussing this issue with me. I understand the Sheriff's department do not dictate policy or make policy, they just enforce the policy.
I believe the folks at Belmont School have the very best interest of the children at heart. But in this day of school shootings and all kinds of new fears and violence, it is easy and understandable to overreact to protect our children. My first inclination is to intervene and protect my daughter, but she must learn to fight some battles on her own. I will not always be there to shield her, but I always will be there for her. I think that together, parents and teachers, we can do the same for all the school children.
Feel free to comment and respond. Remember all can see your comments. Any vulgar, malicious, or personal slanders will be removed immediately.
Posted by Belmont Times at 2:28 PM
31 comments:
Anonymous said...
what punishment did the student get for having the cell phone at school?
March 5, 2008 11:31 AM
Anonymous said...
I feel that every child should be treated the same,but in turn i feel we should leave control of the school with the educators and not the public,I agree with the no tolerance fighting the JDC at corinth is a secure facility for an awareness program to teach youth violence is not the answer to any situation,I totally agree with Mr Hood I feel he is a level headed educator that followed what he thought was the right process,As for the parents being unable to see thier children that should be addressed with the Judge and the JDC,as a policy change...But we should all remember when we take away control of our schools from it's leaders and give it to the parents,children,and the public we will all suffer a loss....
Signed:A PARENT OF THREE CHILDREN AT BELMONT SCHOOL SYSTEM...
March 5, 2008 12:15 PM
Anonymous said...
I can see how the boys who were involved parents were upset at not getting to see or speak with their child that night; however, that is a policy of JDC not Belmont High School. In my dealings with Mr. Hood and Belmont School, I have always found the welfare and education of the students to be a high priority. In today's world, how can we know when such a fight might end in serious injury or death. I agree with and support the actions of Mr. Hood and Officer Jeff Sparks in order to provide a safe learning environment for my children. I wonder what steps you would have taken had you been in their position? Signed: Belmont School Supporter and parent of 2 Belmont School children!
March 5, 2008 1:10 PM
Anonymous said...
I am a parent of a Belmont Student. I applaud the comment from Parent of Three Children in the Belmont School System. Yes, the whole matter should be addressed with the JDC. Mr. Hood's actions were only the result of what had been told to him by the JDC. All children are treated fairly at Belmont School! I have been witness to the handling of school discipline issues under the principalship of Mr. Kuykendall, Mr. Andy, and now Mr. Hood, and I have NEVER seen a discipline issue handled based on who one was. Never! To allow parents and the community to stir up a stink over a child being disciplined is so "not right". The sooner this can be allowed to "blow over" the better off our school system will be. What is the reason for having to post this and then allow comments to be posted? As a parent, my heart would have been ripped out to have to know that my child was left overnight at JDC, however, I also realize that my child has to be responsible for her actions. And, I hope that when she does wrong my love for her would not overshadow the difference between right and wrong. Let's be thankful for Christian leaders in our Tishomingo County Schools (from the Board and Superintendent on down to hourly workers) and the job they do and recognize how blessed we are with our schools. If you are not - just listen to the world news.
A BELMONT SCHOOL ADMINISTRATOR SUPPORTER
March 5, 2008 1:18 PM
Belmont Times said...
Please do not take this as an attack on Mr. Hood, or Mr. Sparks. As I see it, they implemented the policy as they saw it. I disagreed with the policy. I am 100% in favor of discipline. I have always supported the teachers and the administration and always put my money where my mouth is. But when I disagree with a policy, I always speak up. I may not be right, but I always speak what I believe to be right. I absolutely did not think for one moment that these boys were singled out because of who they were, who their parents were, or any other reason. I also do not hold any suspicions toward Mr. Hood. I personally do not know Mr. Hood as well as I do some others, but everyone I know and trust has high regard for Mr. Hood. If this was interpreted as an attack on Mr. Hood, or anyone else, or if it shows any disrespect toward any official, I apoligize.
But having a child arrested is far from what I consider reasonable punishment for what transpired, and I do believe that it does warrent conversation.
Once again, I want to state that this is not an attack on anyone.
March 5, 2008 3:04 PM
Anonymous said...
The school had no business sending these young students to jail over night for this incident. The two involved are two kids who do not cause trouble on a regular basis and stopped the fight without any instruction from a teacher. They also told the truth about getting into the fight when they were asked about it. I can not understand sending two young individuals to jail over such a thing as this when there are middle aged men who are guilty of rape or murder out in the world walking around free. What is the school system coming to?
Another issue I would like to point out is in the Belmont School handbook there is a statement that reads "NO CELLPHONES ARE ALOUD DURING SCHOOL HOURS." So why did the two fighting get in trouble and the student with the cellphone get off the hook? Why didn't this student get in trouble as well?
March 5, 2008 3:26 PM
adkennedy87 said...
I feel that the boys being arrested is a little extreme. As it was said there was a fight the next day. Apparently this didn't have an effect on the students. Children are going to do what they want to do. But being arrested for their first fight is "to me" a little overboard. I think every parent should put theirselves in those boys parents position and think about how "they" would feel if that had been there children. No one would have not reacted to this. It's really easy to give your opinion when you haven't been in that parents place of worrying all night about your child. I am just saying think about it.
Signed: graduate of Belmont High School and mother of one.
March 5, 2008 3:29 PM
Anonymous said...
I do not have a problem with Mr. Hood and matter of fact think he is a good man. The problem is with sending two young boys to JDC overnight. Another thing is a fight the next day and they were not sent.Also, several weeks ago at Tish Co there was a more severe fight and nothing was done. I think lots of things need to be considered before making these rules. The blame is not being placed on the people but the rule.Signed a Grand Parent of children at all the schools.
March 5, 2008 3:48 PM
Anonymous said...
I think what happened is an outrage! I can remember a time when the teachers/principals made the rules and no police where needed at school--I know times have changed but what happened in this case was very extreme. Their should be punishment for a childs actions but not to this measure. I feel Mr. Hood should have consulted Mr. K before doing what was done. These boys must have been afraid and the parents have every right to be upset. I would also like to know when this rule was put into action--there is nothing about it in the school rule book and I have seen nothing sent home concerning it. Shouldn't the school system be obligated to inform the parents of these types of rule changes? Also, as far as the kid with the cell phone--you can go to school and see them at the car line with their phone up to their ear and no one ever says anything about it so I think that rule is pretty much null and void most of the time.
Signed:Parent of 2 children at Belmont School System
March 5, 2008 4:39 PM
Anonymous said...
There is an article that was in the USA Today that can be found at:
www.usatoday.com/news/education/2006-08-09-zero-tolerance_x.htm
It think it would be wise if some of you read it.
I cannot believe that these boys were sent to JD for fighting. I think the school/district is in error for doing this.
If this was truly the first incident since the so called "POLICY" was implemented, maybe the school should have figured out what they were to do before any of this happened. Also, did they send out new handbooks to households when this "POLICY" went in effect? And if not, why?
And for the school not to contact the parents FIRST!! I think I would be livid too.
For you adults out there reading this... Think back when you were in high school. How many fist fights were at your school? What happened? In most cases the kids were sent to the principal's office and the parents WERE CALLED.
I hope these children are not emotionally scarred from being stripsearched and spending the night in JD.
March 5, 2008 4:54 PM
Anonymous said...
I am a grand parent of Belmont students and there's no excuse for manor in which this was handled. This was another premature, hasty dicission made by the authority of an individual instead of by facts and proper address.
March 5, 2008 5:49 PM
Anonymous said...
WOW! I am beginning to wonder if this is the same place called Belmont that I remember. It sounds like someone may feel as if they were 'attacked". If the shoe fits, wear it. I have decided, this IS the same Belmont and standing up for what is right will keep it the same Belmont. This was extreme punishment and unnecessary torture for the minors and their parents. One of these comments said the children should be responsible for their actions. The is no doubt about that, but you would have to be crazy to believe the cure for these boys was some handcuffs, a stripsearch and a cell.
March 5, 2008 6:24 PM
Anonymous said...
GREAT JOB MR. HOOD --- SHAME ON KUYKENDALL!!!! Most of the youth today have absolutely no respect for authority. When they are called to task on their behavior parents get involved and kids understand that mom and dad will come to the rescue. Shame on each of you who think these kids should not have had to face action for their behavior. Students need to understand that they will be held accountable for their actions. If schools are unable to discipline students, send them home...period. Let the parents deal with them day in and day out and find an alternative for their education. If the students Friday had been sent to JDC as well...the rest of the student body would have gotten the message....
Belmont High School Graduate
March 5, 2008 7:55 PM
Anonymous said...
The no tolerance policy is a result of happenings in schools across the United States. It is the responsibility of the Schools to protect our children, and keep them in a safe enviroment. When I was a students, and got into a fight, the principle had the authority to deal with the problem, and he did. When we say the teachers and School officials don't have the right to give a child a paddeling, what are they to do Send them Home, that might work for some but not all. If the parents don't deal with the problem, what will it be the next time. I strongly support Mr. hood and Belmont School System. I am not a Belmont native but have three children going to Belmont School. I don't have to worry about thier safety. As for as the boys having to spend the night in Juv. Det., and not being able to see their parents. That is a issue of the Law enforcement, and not the School System.
March 5, 2008 8:04 PM
Anonymous said...
First of all I want to say that I personally have experience with Mr. Hood, Mr. Kuykendall, and Mr. Chumbley and think very highly of them all. Also I belive that the punishment was extreme. This is on these boys' permanent records, and they are good kids. Yes, they should DEFINATELY have been punished, but while growing up at Belmont School, the usual punishment for fighting was office, parents notified, and then pattling or iss or suspension--my time at Belmont did not end very long ago. Another thing, these boys, which I know very well as well as their families, have been shocked by the experience at JDC and the extremity of the first time offense. Another thing, the child that defended himself and the child that started it received the same punishment. These boys, other than this incident, are great friends and involved in church. We all make mistakes. We all should receive EQUAL treatment and should be forgiven after it has been addressed. I spoke with Mr. Hood one day and something he said to me has stuck with me as a philosophy to use when I am a teacher, "I try to tell all my collegues to begin each day giving each and every child a clean slate, to not hold any judgements or previous actions against him or her." I believe he tries to do this, which is GREAT.
However, the kids that fought the next day, granted it wasn't as severe, but nonetheless a fight, weren't punished with a permanent record strike. The kid that, instead of getting an administrator, recorded the fight with a cell phone, that isn't allowed, wasn't punished as well. If this type of punishment is going to be enforced, send a document home for the parents to read and sign that also includes addresses and phone numbers of the facilities that will have their children! Let parents be informed of the consequences their kids could face. Also take the kids through the punishments in detail as well because children should learn to obey rules and respect athority. The biggest fear is the unknown. I know this will all blow over, but at least it has been addressed and the entire county's schools will know how to react to any acts of violence, no matter the severity.
Signed: BHS Graduate & Soon-to-be Educator
March 5, 2008 8:33 PM
Anonymous said...
I agree with belmont graduate and soon-to-be educator. There should be punishment for fighting or any misbehaving. I do, however, think that jdc was exstreme. I also think that the policy change should have went out to parents in a letter. I know these boys and they are great kids. No they shouldn't have fought and they know that. They knew it before jdc. They know it after jdc. Fighting shouldn't be allowed at school. But jdc wasn't the answer and I think thats why the policy was changed so fast, not because of, or in spite of, what the parents said. I don't have a child in school but if I did I would want him to get punished for fighting...paddling, iss, isd,sent home...but not jdc, where he will be stripsearched. Its a tough situation but one that I feel like is being dealt with not only by the school but also by the families.
March 6, 2008 5:20 AM
Anonymous said...
Get your facts straight Mr. Wells! Signed: No longer a customer of Belmont T.V.!!!
March 6, 2008 5:48 AM
Anonymous said...
All the people that are FOR this action needs to have their child taken from them and put in JDC for one night. Let them be strip searched. Then, see how they feel about it. If one child attacks another, should the one child stand there and take it? According to this policy, he has to or go to jail, and he may go to jail, even if he doesn't swing a lick. This is simply just the stupidest thing I have ever heard. Most of the football players on the team would be going to jail every day. If you ever played football, you know what I mean. I'm not downing Mr. Hood, or anybody, but, Mr. Hood is not a hometown principal. He came from another place. He did not make an attempt to place a call to Kuykendall. He did not attempt to make a call to the parents, till after he made his decision. When I attended Belmont, all of us got into a fight at one time or another. Sometimes it was just taking up for yourself. The founding fathers did that at the Boston Tea Party. Oh yeah, you bunch of liberals didn't like that statement, did you? My hats off to the Belmont Times for diligently pursuing this story and making it public. Expel the children, spank them, please don't send our kids to jail for fighting. Someone said that the school should have control over our kids, I wholeheartedly disagree. If the parents had control over the kids, it would be a joy for any teacher to teach them. Because no true parent would send their child to jail for getting in a fight with their sibling. Parents would know how to deal with it. But obviously our school does not. So the school does not need to have complete control over our kids until they can understand what their own policies are.
March 6, 2008 5:56 AM
Anonymous said...
There is no "Zero Tolerance" policy against fighting. The school district policy manual is available on the district website and under the section on "Fighting" you will not see anything about having a student arrested. Mr. Sparks did what he understood he was told to do by the youth court judge. Signed: A BELMONT SCHOOL SUPPORTER
March 6, 2008 7:20 AM
Anonymous said...
Mr. Hood shouldn't be punished for coming to Belmont and simply conforming. He seems to be being used as a scapegoat for a system that obviously had problems already.
March 6, 2008 7:25 AM
Anonymous said...
Mr Hood, Belmont School, and Joey Cobb have all overstepped their boundries. Normally when something like this comes up parents just sit back and "roll with the punches". Finally, they school has messed with the wrong parent. I know the mother personally. She is a devout Christian and she is not going to step down from this matter. Her son was stripped from her. The very child she carried arround for 9 months. I say GO to the mother and father that this involved. Its time that someone has stood up to the Tishoming County School Systems and there bogus rules. Parents use this mother as an example dont let your kids be trampled on....because if you let them be Mr. Hood will be sure to be "the man in charge" without any care for the children at belmont high.
SIGNED: SOON TO BE GRADUATE, SENIOR, OF BELMONT HIGH SCHOOL
March 6, 2008 7:38 AM
Anonymous said...
I have all respect for leaders and educators. You have a great deal of influence over what our future holds. But with authority comes responsibility. While many may say, "grat job these children have to have respect for authority, let me say all respect is lost when authority is abused. What we see today is a lack of respect in our children because of abuse of authority. Good, responsible authority takes time to count the cost before taking action. If good judgement is facilitated and ALL students are indeed treated with equal respect, then not much discipline is required because respect is mutual, a two-way street, so to speak. For the parents, teachers and others who feel that all students ARE treated equally, I have to say. You probably never had a child to come to the system as an outsider. Believe me it is hard to try to "fit in". Many times you are already labeled a troublemaker because you don't know who to "hang out" with and the only ones to accept you are others in the same situation.
An upstanding elementary teacher has been overheard as saying she didn't like certain children because "they couldn't be paddled or get in trouble". Does that sound responsible? We can't expect children to act more adult than we do ourselves. If we are going to talk about having good Christian educators, then we must be sure to apply the golden rule in all situations. ALL parents have a right to know THEIR child is safe and noone should be afraid to send a child to school. As taxpayers we must be able to trust the system we ourselves fund. So, no, educators and administrators, it is NOT your job to have control of the school. It is your job to carry out a system set in place by the people for the good of all students wanting an education.
March 6, 2008 7:58 AM
Anonymous said...
Scripture says, "Speak the truth in LOVE" Good job BELMONT TIMES!
We all needed to know the truth.
March 6, 2008 8:10 AM
Anonymous said...
I think this was overkill. The problem with zero tolerance is you have to use some "judgment". What is considered "violence"? Is a couple of friends getting into a fistacuff, really violence? They didn't cause a big disturbance; they stopped it on their own. Was anybody injured, was anybody really endangered? Blanket policies usually don't work. I think you have to use some "good judgment", on a case by case incident. The policy is in place if you need it. The question is, did this incident need handcuffs, strip searches, overnight in jail, a juvenile record, not to mention the not being able to contact them. Knowing the rules is one thing, knowing when to apply the rules is another.
I respect Mr. Kuykendal for seeing a problem and stepping in to correct the problem. I have no problem with school administrators keeping discipline , I applaud that, and appreciate that. I also appreciate our school system. I think we have one of the best in the state.
"The 'one-size-fits-all' approach will not work. Bringing aspirin to school is not the same as bringing cocaine. A plastic knife isn't the same as a handgun. Somebody has to use some discretion.
I do not know Mr Hood personally, but everything I have heard about him is very positive. I'm sure this problem will be addressed and corrected.
March 6, 2008 8:17 AM
Anonymous said...
This is the most outrageous situation I have heard of in recent times. We allow illegal immigrant to devalue our economic, and social systems and yet have no discretion in handling a situation between two minors???Boys have had minor altercations since forever. Can I assume since the second incident was dismissed that the first incident will be expunged from the boys record and a public apology be made in the newspaper? I would also hope a letter of apology be sent to both families involved.
Concerned American
March 6, 2008 9:57 AM
Anonymous said...
This situation is one that arises in many small rural communities when blanket policy is enforced. It is the JOB of the school to protect all students and they can use any means possible to do so. While the cell phone incident and the other fight not going through the same policy has to do with consistency more than what is on the books. It always gets someone attention if the "wrong" child is deemed to be violated. Our job is to educate and make sure they have a safe environment, common sense and discretion should always be used, but the principal was doing as he was informed to do and in a situation involving safety it is much wiser to err on the side of being too safe.
March 6, 2008 10:33 AM
Anonymous said...
I have lived in Belmont all my life and proud of it. I think we are very BLESSED to have a school that will protect the children. With the way thing are this day and time you can never tell when something bad will happen, like shooting that have happened in other schools. I have nephews that live in other state and you should hear some of the thing that they say happen at there schools. Like I said we are very BLESSED to have a school system we can count on. I have three girls that attend Belmont school and I am so glad I don't have to worry about them while they are at school. Also we are VERY BLESSED to have MR. HOOD at Belmont School. He is a GODLY man and we should apprecate a man like that. As for Coach K. or Mr. K. people make mistakes we do them everyday. We live and learn by them and that is part of living.
KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK AND GOD BLESS OUR SCHOOL SYSTEM!
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25 comments:
I do believe that the current administrator acted to quickly on this matter and it should have been handled in a different way. On the other hand I do not agree with the people that state what about when I was in school. When you was in school you did not have the kind of threat going on that the kids face today. You never heard on the news of kids bringing guns to school or someone getting shot in the lunchroom. Back in the day when kids disagreed they meet on the playground and settled it then, in today's world you make someone mad and you are liable to get shot. As adults we must remember that times are different and threats are different these days.
It is hard for me to believe what has happened here. WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU PEOPLE; ESPECIALLY JOEL WELLS? Thanks to him and this article, we are probably the laughing stock of the rest of the county and anyone else who reads this. We are already hated by the north end of the county and I am sure they are getting a kick out of this. There was once a time that our teachers and the administration were respected in this community. Thanks to people like Joel, this is fading fast. How many of you parents have not made a mistake dealing with your own children? When you have more than one child, is it sometimes hard to tell who is telling the truth and who isn't? How would you like to make that call when about 1000 kids are involved each day? How many of you have substituted even one day in our school before? It is easy to sit back and say what you would or would not do when you have never seen what goes on up there. I was once one of those parents that sat on the sidelines and was critical of decisions that I thought were not right. Some of you need to see what those teachers go through in a days time. No wonder there is no respect from the students anymore for authority. There is no respect for teachers, police, preachers, parents, or anyone else in anymore. Where do you think these kids are learning that? It is coming from the home. We want to blame someone else for why our children are making messes of their lives, when it all starts at home. I also know the parents of one of these students. My heart went out to the parents of both of these children. However, I know one of the parents realized it was a learning experience (a hard one) for her son. She knows it may have been good in a way because it may keep him from ever thinking about doing something wrong again. As far as Mr. Hood goes, he is a wonderful Christian man and no, he is not from here. That puts every child on equal ground in his eyes. There are no "big I's and little U's" in his case. He does treat every child equally. He did as he was told to do. We should be thankful to have him here. Those that keep commenting on the cell phone use, I just want to say HA! HA! I know parents that stay "fighting mad" when their child gets their phone taken up and then they brag about how the child gets someone else's phone and goes into the bathroom and calls and tells on the teacher that took the phone. Then the parent/grandparent goes to the school and gets mad at the teacher. THAT RULE IS IN THE HANDBOOK AND THE PARENT HAD TO SIGN OFF THAT THEY READ IT!!! The same thing applies to the dress code. So you see. It really doesn't matter what rules they have at the school, they are in a no-win situation. We need to pull together as a community and get behind our teachers and administrators. If we as parents and grandparents would teach our children that a rule is a rule and there are no exceptions, our children would be better for it. The prison system is full of good people that lost their temper (one time. Joel, I just wonder if your little girl was hit by a child that was of a "lower class" in your eyes, would you think taking him/her to jail would be too extreme. I am glad they changed the rule about the first time offense, but to keep our school from being like some of those schools we hear about on the news, I am thankful for our rules. Signed: Very disgusted with our adults.
To very disgusted with our adults--I am thankful that Mr. Wells has given us all an open forum to voice our opinions. Who cares what the other half of the county thinks of us--they were thinking all of it before this came about.We are all entitled to voice are concerns as parents of students in the school system. These were good kids who got dealt a bad hand and if my child were done this way I am not sure I how I would handle the situation but I wouldn't sit back and take it--that's whats wrong now--no one will stand up for what they believe in. The parents have a right to be upset for the way the situation was handled.
Be careful about calling this an open forum. If you watch it carefully, you will see that the Blog Owner...deletes certain posts.. just have to be lucky enough to see them before he does...
At this point if this is going to be an "I approve what I like posts"... you Mr. Wells are doing this entire community a disservice by allowing it to remain... the discussion was had...drop it...
I have deleted a couple of posts and I stated the reason why above. All posts now have to be approved before they are put on because this is about an issue, not about personal attacks. However, I am not censoring attacks on me. I can take a little criticism, or a lot. Because a person disagrees with me, I try honestly not to take it personal. But, as everyone knows, sometimes, that's hard to do.
A lesson was learned by both sides of this situation: children don't fight at school and once again the public turns against the school. The fact Mr. Wells brought this subject up so many days later after the problem was resolved is pathetic! I would expect no less from people with too much time on their hands! Signed: Belmont School Supporter and Parent of Belmont School children.
well u deleted my post an i dont beleive i done any of the above what i said was the truth. i guess sometimes the truth hurts.whats good for one is good for another!as far as the dress code, cell phones on so on.those are rules (INFORCE THEM)ITS YOUR JOB AS FACILTY NOT ARES WE ARE PAYING U!! an yes if we as parents dont make our kids mind at home. guess what this may come as a suprrise to sum but they wont mind at school either an they are there more than at home. in closing i applaud joel for what he has done. this is something we as tax payers should know.this is 2008 not 1980 times are changing!
All the people that are angry with Joel Wells because he allows posts on here, for him or against him, do not understand free speech. Some of you called his name out but failed to leave yours. I wonder why? Are you afraid of retaliation? You shouldn't be. We live in a free society where we can voice our opinions on many issues, including this one. I'm going to be the first person to leave my name on this. My name is Terry Slayton. I would appreciate it if people would be brave enough to leave their name on here. Especially if they are going to call other people out, and not hide behind "anonymous". We all live in a nice, christian town. No one condones fighting.But I personally believe the punishment should have fit the crime. In this case, it didn't. Some one made the comment as to why Joel waited a few days before bringing this out. I'll feel like this is newsworthy. In the restaurants, many people have talked about this issue. I'm glad he took the time to get his facts straight, and yes, Joel is a personal friend of mine. He has no idea that I'm about to post this. We homeschool so I will keep my opinion on how this forum is being run, rather than the school issue. Please remember, be a man or woman. Stand behind what you believe. Leave a name, or don't leave a post.
Once again people love to hide behind anonomity, I hope the previous poster was joking with their spelling,but here never know. Yes you let it get out of hand, yes maybe it should have been handled different,but I for one konw had it been my son I would have been upset but more iwth him for fighting than the system for punishment. Dang if you rob a bank but then are friends with the teller later does it lessen your sentence?, I dont think so if our guilty your guilty regardless of the crime or the punishment, it is called laws in a democratic society. As far as hating on joel who living there doesnt have too much time on their hands not like they have brought in any industry in years all they have done is lost it, the haves make sure the have nots never get it, btw the eighties were pretty awesome to me bet some others too.
Belmont graduate parent educator
Aren’t some of you climbing in bed with our AG Jim Hood?
Seems everyone keeps bringing up the fact that these guys were good kids...friends even... Well, AG Hood is taking slack because he says he can't prosecute his friends...since these guys were friends...don't punish them either...
And as for the punishment fitting the crime, I seem to remember a fight that happened in downtown Belmont that outraged people when no one went to jail.
The only problem in this case was maybe the fact that parents were not notified of this “policy” (before it was enforced). According to the students, they were told that this was what would happen. I also agree, a student defending himself should not be punished, but the instigator, yes, the instigator should have gone to JDC. Everyone keeps saying these are good kids, wonder how many parents who have lost loved ones in school shootings thought the shooter was a good kid before he did it.
Everyone should read -> http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15111438/
Yes, this is Belmont MS, a small relatively safe community, but things have changed and continue to change. If you think a terrible act of violence can’t happen here, you are living a dream.
We have had our share of violent crime in this area, included the senseless murder of one of our law enforcement officers several years ago. Everyone forgot what happened in one of the dorms of Northeast Community College in 1985. If you haven’t read the news, there was a shooting in the dorms at East MS Community College just a few days ago. We cannot let violence take hold in our schools (any violence). The aggressor must be dealt with swiftly and assuredly. The one defending himself, has all rights to do so, that should be clear.
Friendship, kinship, and who knows who, should be left out of this discussion. But the fact is clear, violence of any kind had no place in school.
The bible says to honor authority until it goes against Gods word. This situation does not go against God's word so we should honor the law that the board has adopted. If someone doesn't like board policy move them to Red Bay, Emmanuel, or Home School them where they don't have to answer to anyone! It's amazing how people can call themselves christians and all they do is keep the pot stiring by something that is not going against biblical principles.
this matter has got nothing to do with religion. its about right an wrong.an cleary its been handled wrong!
The truth of the matter is this. When parents interfere based on emotion on not common sense, everyone loses....
Let's see what could have happened...Shall we...
SCENARIO 1:
1) The boys fight...
2) The school breaks it up...ISS, ISD...
3) One of the boys, still mad, still at school together, gets even madder – goes to his truck, gets a gun and then, the UNTHINKABLE
4) Who is blamed - the SCHOOL
SCENARIO 2:
1) The boys fight...
2) The school breaks it up...contacts parents…
3) One of the boys, still mad, still at school together, gets even madder – goes to his truck, gets a gun and then, the UNTHINKABLE
4) Who is blamed - the SCHOOL
SCENARIO 3:
1) The boys fight...
2) The school breaks it up...contacts parents, sends the kids home, suspended….
3) Parents are at work…had to take off to pick up kids and keep them, make other arrangements…
4) Who is blamed - the SCHOOL, because then we say, they should have handled it…
SCENARIO 4:
1) The boys fight...
2) The school breaks it up...sends aggressor to JDC…. (Kid has time to cool off, think about what he has done and its consequences)
3) Who is blamed - the SCHOOL, because then we say, they shouldn’t have handled it…
Ultimately, nothing is going to stop a child who is going to carry out a violent act. But schools have to be proactive is responding to ANY violence on school property. I’m neither saying these boys were raised badly nor pointing fingers at the PARENTS for their upbringing. I’m pointing at, that the school couldn’t win because of meddling adults. You have to decide, do want your schools to be safe or not….
Have you looked at Tishomingo County Schools lately?
1) Attendance Optional – ask a student
2) Minimum Grades for Trying – ask a student
3) Apparently now, No Discipline – without parental and community approval
I do not agree with how everything was handled, but the school does need and should have a “ZERO TOLERANCE” policy when it comes to violence or aggression and there should be exceptions for students who are simply defending themselves. Parents should be aware of that policy. But who is kidding who… If such a policy had been in the handbook, parents would still be angry.
A CONCERNED PARENT
Why can't everyone just get on with their lives. The school needs to apologize for their mistake. The kids need to be punished with ISS or something and apologize. Let this be a lesson to all involved and make better judgements in the future.
Amen to the Concerned Parent who provided us with Scenario's #1-4. Regardless of how a situation is handled, with so many parents, it is never the right way. From cell phone policies to fights, many parents always defend their child. When parents will stand behind the school administrators and stop trying to challenge them on technicalities, then students will realize they must abide by school rules. But, as long as the parents back their children, reagardless of how wrong they may have been, children will never have respiect of school rules or authorities. Just ask our schools teachers and administration.
The punishment for these boys was a bit EXTREME. I, for one, know these boys very well. They are both very good kids and close friends. This is the first time they have been in this kind of trouble. The fact that the fight was not even that serious. It was more like a push and shove. There was not even any blood!.. The punishment was taken over the top. I agree that the policy should have been sent out to all the parents to inform them about the change,and the parents of the boys should have been contacted way before they were sent to JDC. As a matter of a fact, the parents should have been called when the boys were being questioned in the office at school. This punishment should have been handled in a different manner as the one the day after.
Signed: TWO VERY CONCERNED STUDENTS
i would just like to say that this whole situation has gotten a little out of hand. I personally know both of the boys very well. i am involved in church with both of them. I am also good friends with mr. hood. Mr. kuykendall and i are also aquaintances. i am a recent graduate of belmont high and am slightly familiar with the rules and regs there. i have spoken with both kids and families myself, and i would like to say, first of all, boys will be boys. this fight associated with a girl. thats juvenile... however the handling of the situation was a little extreme. i had the fight bluetoothed to my phone the day it happened and...that small scuffle didn't deserve that punishment given. i wouldn't even classify that as a fight, it was like the earlier post's comment "push and shove." i dont like the punishment given, but i am more displeased with the way the school handled the altercation a few days later. i don't agree with the punishment, but if that punishment is the standard, there should be no exceptions. If the school is wanting to inforce the "zero tollerance" and be fair to all, then the other boys in the lunchroom should have gotten the same punishment. after all, zero tollerance means just that. no matter how small an incident like this is, the school must treat them all the same in order to be just. the families have a right to be highly aggrevated at the situation. if the administration is going to send these kids to these places as punishment, they should at least know how to get in touch with the facility. as for the kid with the cell phone, he/she should have been punished for breaking the rules in his/her own right. the "cell phone policy" has been in effect far longer than this "take em' to juvie" policy. does anybody know if the student with the cell phone received any punishment??? well...im not going to bash any officials or anybody. so that's what i have to say...T.G.
To Disgusted with our adults;
I think that people in this town should try leaving the county, if only for a day, and you will see that the world does not revolve around Belmont, MS. Joel is a personal friend of mine and I think he calls it like he sees it. You just need to learn that people can have different opinions from you. Just grow up and deal with it!
Totally unbeleiveable...So many people seem to be saying that these were good kids and it wasn't much of a fight...This is what is wrong with North Mississippi today...Just because they are "good ole boys" doesn't mean anything. Mr. B. and Ms. S. down the street are making meth...but they are good people...go to church..but just need a little extra money to pay for gas...they can't help selling this stuff to your kids...Remember...they are good people, go to church, and they aren't selling much...just a little bit, hardly enough to notice...HAHA...Get over these being good kids, church kids, friends even, a small fight, it was a fight, they got caught, and went to JDC...If your gonna grip about this, then don't grip when the drunk that ran over your family gets off becuase he was a good guy, it was his first time. When the murderer get off with probation because he was good church folk, "a good ole boy" who lets his temper flare up...
NOW YOU SEE WHY MOST PEOPLE GET OUT OF BELMONT AS QUICK AS THEY CAN...TYPICAL SMALL TOWN... ALWAYS HAS BEEN, ALWAYS WILL BE
most parents are great and want their kids to behave and follow the rules, but you have a few parents that want the rules to be enforced until it is their child. Unbelievable. This WHOLE thing is SILLY! No one is perfect and no one was harmed! Forget it and move on! Life is way to short! Go to St. Jude and see what is really important.
I can't believe that someone would post that this little scuffle was like a drunk running over someone. Or a drug dealer. That's the reason that people want to get out of Belmont, the ignorance like that.Joel Wells is a better man than I am to let that kind of post go on here. 15 yr old kids fighting over a girl, with no weapons of any kind, with no blood shed, should have been dealt with like this.... I went to Belmont for 12 yrs. When we got into a scuffle we either were paddled, or sent home, or both. That's good common sense. If a gun or a knife had been brought to school, then the one who brought the weapon needed to be dealt with in a different manner. But that simply did not happen. But I want to address another matter. -- Where were the teachers? This happened in a classroom. Again, I say, where were the teachers? Could it be that our kids are sometimes unsupervised? No don't get me wrong, I'm not dogging teachers. But when I was at school, during any type of recess, or time of changing classes a teacher was usually present. But here we have a classroom with no teacher. That's one of the first questions I would have asked if I was the principal. Plus, I'm going to make this one statement - if Mr. Wells deems it inappropriate he can delete it. Let's have zero tolerance against teachers and principals. If they mess up, arrest them publicly and send them to jail. What I'm trying to say is that no one is perfect. Kids have been fighting forever. Zero tolerance is just going to fill up a JDC center. And if you don't like my comments...to bad. I can hide like the rest of you under anonymous
The post about arresting teachers and principals... They do get arrested when they do something illegal...Just proves the IGNORANCE in this town...
end of the road.....I think we have covered this about as well as you can....good and bad. I will submit a new post in the next few days. my last few days have been, to say the least, "interesting". I'm still just ole Joel, who simply had an opinion on a policy, and I won't ever give up my right to have an opinion, and I will always defend your right to one too, even if it is different than mine.
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